In autumn children can often be found throwing sticks into horse chestnut trees for the conkers.  Those here are also chestnuts but unlike the poisonous horse chestnut conkers, these, with their spikey coverings, are on a sweet chestnut tree and edible.  Unfortunately the little nuts which are starting to burst out of their shells here will not ripen  but they might do in the warmer sunnier parts of south east England, so most chestnuts are imported.  Hot sweet chestnuts traditionally roasted on an open brazier are a very tasty treat on a cold evening while visiting an outdoor event in late autumn or in the run up to Christmas.